Splinter's Tale

Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adolescent transformed shadow warrior Chelonians.

EPILOGUE:

I waited unable to meditate, only able to watch the seconds ticking slowly by seeming to take an eternity in and of itself, as the night drag slowly on the hours fraying my nerves all the more.

So anxious and concerned was I that I often found myself pacing.

Then the door finally creaked slowly open and sudden hope and relief filled me as I looked up to see all four of my sons returning home.

They were badly wounded, bleeding and exhausted from the long battle above and yet they were all alive, they had survived the night. I felt a tremendous amount of pride fill me at that moment.

They had truly proven themselves to be true ninja.

Shredder Oroku Saki was dead and Yoshi's honour had been restored and my Master could now rest in peace.

I had my sons back and never again would I dare risk them or ask them to do for me what I asked of them this one night. It was enough that they had achieved it once.

I felt that honour was important but I also felt that honour alone does not necessarily mean risking the lives of the ones you love most to regain honour.

Now you know my tale from the start, and yes my sons have risked their lives many times since then but never at my desire for I'd rather keep them safe. Their life and the choices they make are theirs alone now, though I will still help them and guide them where I can and where they will let me.

Now that you know the truth judge me as you see fit.

In the end we all have pride, we all have things we will fight for because we believe strongly in them, we all make mistakes, we all might one day unintentionally harm someone we love, we all might ask a great sacrifice or favour for a certain reason from someone close to us and if all of this is true I have done no better no worse then any of you.

Though I do not excuse or justify my actions thus. I prefer to not judge others for fear of being judged.

I am grateful the training I provided insured the safety of my sons that night.

It is enough that we are still alive to enjoy and be a part of each other's lives. That alone suits my sons and I quite well.

The rest of their story is not mine to tell but they alone must tell of what adventures came after for them the teenage mutant ninja turtles.

The End